Exclusive: Emmerdale's Flo Wilson praises co-star amid unlikely friendship

Emmerdale star Flo Wilson has opened up about her formidable character Claudette Anderson, who has begun an unexpected - and popular - friendship with Kev Barton.

After Kev was released from prison, he was taken in by the kind Claudette as a houseguest. Since then, she has supported him through his reintegration into the village, including with starting his job at the café.

Now, Kev and Claudette have a close bond, with the latter often defending him against scrutiny from other villagers, such as when Robert Sugden's poker winnings went missing and Kev was initially blamed.

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Speaking exclusively to Inside Soap, Flo shed some light on what it is about Kev that Claudette likes so much, despite their enormous differences.

"Kevin moving in has been a real highlight," she declares. "He's giving Claudette a sense of being a mum again. He reminds her of her late husband, Victor. Victor never changed his bad boy ways, but of course Kevin has.

"She's always looking for the good things in Kev. She feels like she can spot someone who's really on the path to redemption."

"The writing is so good, it's a good rhythm for us," adds the actor. "It's great to work with Chris Coghill [who plays Kev]. He is genuinely so lovely and makes me laugh. He's also a Manc like me."

As well as surrogate son Kev, Claudette is also mother to the local vicar Charles Anderson, who she is often far more strict on. However, Flo reckons that Claudette's scolding comes from a place of motherly love, and she doesn't mean to treat Charles differently to Kev.

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"I don't think Claudette realises she gives Charles a hard time!" chuckles the star. "She just thinks she's being a wonderful mum. There was a scene where Charles and Kevin were sitting at the table and there were two sausages left, and she gave them both to Kevin.

"It's funny because she came into Charles's life, moved into his house and cramped his style, and now she's giving her attention to Kevin! It's quite endearing because she's not aware."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

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